well put as usual, Eeyore.

i particularly agree with ALL kids need adult mentors growing up.. adults who are not their parents, who they can confide in, who won't bug them with the stupid authority BS. Someone they can really trust who understands what they are facing. Whether there is a romantic or physical element to any of them should merely depend on what they seek, and of course if the adult is also mutually interested in that way.

if it gets romantic, well thats just something that happens sometimes, and so long as there is respect and care, nobody should have a right to intervene. but it isn't necessary for sexual attraction to be mutual for friendship to flourish.